Half-baked Andrew Abbott trade proposal reveals intriguing Reds trade target

The ink isn't even dry on Andrew Abbott's invitation to the All-Star Game and the Cincinnati Reds starter is already starting to pop up even more in trade rumors ahead of the deadline. Again, the Reds are a team that typically trades players once they start getting expensive and they are sort of fringe contenders this year, so the idea is at least understandable if not logical.

The problem is that Abbott is 1) in the middle of a career year, 2) going to remain very cheap in terms of dollars for at least two more season after this one, and 3) on a Reds team that might not actually be aggressively selling at the trade deadline given the number of wild card slots available.

Still, that hasn't stopped the talking heads from trying to trade Abbott and while the trade proposal involving Abbott that former Reds GM, leather pants enthusiast, and MLB insider Jim Bowden entertained during his latest trade deadline mailbag is one the Reds absolutely won't do, it did reveal a potentially intriguing trade target in the Dodgers' Andy Pages.

While trading Andrew Abbott for him is a terrible idea, the Reds should kick the tires on an Andy Pages deal

For the Reds, the interest in Pages should be pretty straightforward. Cincinnati's outfield could use a boost in talent and Pages is having a great season LA with an .813 OPS and would also come with loads of team control as Pages isn't even arbitration eligible until 2028.

To even attempt to pry Pages away from the Dodgers, the Reds are going to have to offer up some pitching. Giving up Abbott as a now proven rotation arm would be silly, but perhaps a deal with Rhett Lowder or Chase Petty as a centerpiece could be the framework of a deal that would allow LA to gain some much needed pitching depth given all of their injuries.

This isn't the first time that Abbott's name has been mentioned as a trade target and it won't be the last. However, targeting Abbott for an extension seems to make a lot more sense. Still, one wonders if making a run at a guy like Pages could still work out even if the Reds' package in return needs some big time tweaks.

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